Gnosticism

American  

[nos-tuh-siz-uhm] / ˈnɒs təˌsɪz əm /

noun

Christianity.

1. a group of ancient heresies, stressing escape from this world through the acquisition of esoteric knowledge.

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Gnosticism British  

/ ˈnɒstɪˌsɪzəm /

noun

1. a religious movement characterized by a belief in gnosis, through which the spiritual element in man could be released from its bondage in matter: regarded as a heresy by the Christian Church

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Etymology

Origin of Gnosticism

First recorded in 1660–70; Gnostic + -ism

Example Sentences

I bought a house there from a chapter of the Order of the Oriental Templars once run by Aleister Crowley, who had his own take on Gnosticism.

From New York Times • Dec. 14, 2021

Various theologies, such as Gnosticism and the Kabbalah, suggest that not even God can bear to dwell in absolute oneness.

From Scientific American • Nov. 17, 2018

Blending the tenets of Buddhism, Gnosticism and Christianity, these consume a good portion of the early chapters of the novel.

From Los Angeles Times • May 25, 2018

In Gnosticism, for example, there is the fabulous story of the Hebdomad, seven Archons, abstract creatures with the power to create or destroy a world.

From The Guardian • Mar. 19, 2013

The Illustrated Church News, 31st March, 1894—"This work is to Christians of real interest; for it enables them to study Gnosticism alive and vigorous in the nineteenth century."

From The Story of Anna Kingsford and Edward Maitland and of the new Gospel of Interpretation by Maitland, Edward